and as jim avila reports, federal officials are already investigating two other flights, both boeing 757s, with the very same issue. >> during climbout, rows passenger seats, row 12 d, e, and f, came loose on the floor. >> reporter: american airlines flight 685, from boston to miami, diverted in mid-flight, declaring an emergency and landing at jfk in new york, because a row of seats had disengaged from its rail on nearly a nearly full flight. one of the displaced passengers is moved to the flight attendants' jump seat. but fearing turbulence en route, the captain decides to land before the loose row becomes an in-flight missile. >> we don't want that thing flying around and hurting the passengers behind it. the seat is loose and can rotate pretty quickly. >> reporter: a second american flight, from jfk, this time, to miami, turned back after takeoff because of loose seats. elevating american's struggles from inconvenience, to safety concerns. >> i think it could be sabotage. or it could just be sloppiness. but either way, it's kind of a disaster for the airline. >> reporter: america